Posts from ‘Renault’
The Hatchback Sedans of 1986
1986 Saab 9000
With American car buyers scrambling to dump their sedans in favor of crossovers, it would seem logical to assume that a desire for functionality is a driving force behind the movement.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12
The American auto market place tempts many a foreign car builder, and for good reason–Americans buy a lot of cars, and well-equipped cars at that. Margins on cars sold in China, for example, are about half that for vehicles sold here in the States.
1986 Chevrolet Chevette
By 1986, car shoppers were looking for a little more than basic transportation. And while cheap/affordable cars were still the best-selling models, they were generally equipped with such conveniences as automatic transmission and such niceties as FM radio and air conditioning.
1958 Panhard Ad
Our culture is ripe with inappropriately used adjectives. Marketers toss the word “turbo” around with reckless abandon, even though most applications of the Latin root have little to do with air, much less forcing air into an internal combustion engine.
1981 Rover 3500
Cancelled after just 22 episodes, Mr. Merlin was a sitcom starring Barnard Hughes as the legendary wizard Merlin working as a mechanic in modern-day San Francisco. The show’s saving grace was the casting of the lovely Elaine Joyce as one of Merlin’s fellow sorcerers.
10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 1973*
1973 Dodge Colt
We recently shared a list of Consumer Guide’s thirstiest gas guzzlers of 1973—you can check out that post here.
The 10 Slowest Cars of 1973*
1973 Volkswagen Bus
As you may have taken note while reading our 10 Fastest Cars of 1973 post, ’73 was a fairly entertaining year for the editors of Consumer Guide. Not only did my predecessors have the opportunity to evaluate a DeTomaso Pantera, but that year’s docket also included a cadre of “mini buses” and sport-utility vehicles as well.
1980 Ford Fairmont Futura Ad
The word “turbo” is enjoying massive marketing popularity these days. Advertisers and branding folks have slapped it on tools, energy drinks, and dietary supplements.
Is There a “Jeep Curse?”
After serving the country admirably in World War II, the Jeep’s history as a production vehicle has been somewhat rocky.
by Jack Stewart
Jeep is the Hope Diamond of the auto industry. Don’t get me wrong—I have nothing against Jeeps. They have always had great off-road prowess, and the original Jeep helped win World War II. But ownership of the Jeep brand has proved fatal (or at least bad luck) for all its corporate parents. Jeep has often found itself the profitable division of a failing company. Corporate acquisition of Jeep is like hiring Typhoid Mary to cook for your family—it won’t end well.
1986 Renault Encore
Consumer Guide Automotive has enjoyed the service of countless long-term test vehicles over the past few decades. As a matter of policy, those vehicles generally remained in our test fleet for a period of six to 12 months, and represented models that we felt were of special interest to our readers.
